OBITUARY

Donna Corey Skomski

October 14, 1927 – May 14, 2013

Donna Maddock Skomski
October 14, 1927 – May 14, 2013

On May 14, 2013, Donna Corey Goettsch Maddock Skomski of Mt. Pleasant and formerly Royal Oak, Michigan, lost her six year struggle with cancer and passed away peacefully at Rosebush Presbyterian Manor in Rosebush at age 85.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 10:30 a.m. at Rosebush Presbyterian Church, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosebush Manor, Isabella County Commission on Aging, or the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation.

Donna was born in Waterloo, Iowa and grew up living in the states of Iowa, Colorado, Montana, California, Nevada and Michigan. She attended high school in Butte, Montana and San Rafael High School, California, graduating in 1945. Donna graduated from Michigan State University in 1949 with a B.S. Degree in Health and Physical Education and a minor in English. While at MSU, Donna was captain of the Women’s Swim Team for three years. She was a National Swimming Champion in freestyle and backstroke who was an alternate on the 1948 Olympic Swim Team. She was also a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority at MSU. After college graduation, Donna taught and coached at the high school level in Michigan and later the college level in Nevada. Along with her teaching and coaching, Donna served as head of the Women’s Athletic Department at Hazel Park High School. She coached varsity and AAU swim teams, diving, synchronized swimming, tennis, fencing, and gymnastics. While at Hazel Park High School, Donna created the first dance and drill team the Hazel Park Vikettes. In competition, the Vikettes were nationally ranked and they often performed at Detroit Lions football games and numerous J.L. Hudson’s Thanksgiving Day Parades. While teaching primarily in the Hazel Park school system, Donna also taught in Adrian, Warren, and Royal Oak school systems. Donna impacted many student lives at the high schools she taught in and was respected and loved by those who knew her well. In her teaching years, Donna was also a member of the Olympic Development Committee for Diving.

In Nevada, Donna coached the Carson Aquatic Swim Team, was a member of the Nevada State Museum Docent Council, member of Carson City Friends of the Library, and taught at Southern Nevada Community College.
Donna was a member of Presbyterian USA church most of her life and over the years served as a Deacon and Elder in both Nevada and Michigan. She also served as an officer of the Retired Teachers organizations in both Nevada and Michigan.

In the last years of Donna’s life, she traveled through Europe several times to gather information for a Historical book she was writing. Donna had a keen interest in Greek, Roman, and Medieval History. She also had a great appreciation for the arts.

REMEMBERING

Donna Corey Skomski

Karen Wood

June 28, 2013

Rest in peace Mrs. Skomski, she was a wonderful SwimTeacher and we all Loved her, She was the greatest, always smiling. She truly Loved what she did. I had her for Synchronized Swimming and Tennis. I have such fond memories of her. My prayers are with your Family.Karen Kramer Wood.

Gary Donnelly

June 23, 2013

Lee-Ann & Corey,I am very sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of your Mom and your family from our childhood days in Royal Oak.

Joelyn Smith

May 29, 2013

Rest in peace, Mrs. Skomski. Condolences to the family from one of her former Hazel Park High School students

lynda peters

May 24, 2013

Mrs Skomski was my swim teacher, we all loved her! She helped me through a tough time when my father came to visit me at the HPHS after not seeing him for over 5 years....She was a "tough" but VERY fair leader! God Blessed me with knowing her.... God Bless Her and her family... Lynda Peters-HPHS 1971

May 23, 2013

I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Your mother was one of my teachers at Hazel Park High School in the middle 70's. She was a great lady and I always enjoyed spending time with her at the high school. God Bless, Paula Kline-Messner(Aurora, OH)

Sherri Beck Patko

May 23, 2013

My prayers are with your family. Donna was my teacher, synchronized swim coach, swim coach, and sounding board. She taught me that a woman could be strong and graceful at the same time. God bless!!!

Connie Masters-Morris

May 23, 2013

My sincere condolences to the family... Mrs. Skomski was my Vikette Coach for 4 years at Hazel Park High School...She lead the Vikettes to perform for HPHS events, city and special sports events, holiday parades, and it was Practice, Practice, Practice...Thank you Mrs. Skomski for the memories, and all the encouragement you gave me..You are not forgotten!

Kimberly Davis

May 23, 2013

My thoughts and prayers to your family. I am a 1979 graduate of Hazel Park High School and remember Mrs. Skomski as a wonderful teacher. I am currently a resident of Harrison, MI and had no idea that she had resided in Mt. Pleasant. I wish I could have attended the memorial service. Unfortunately, I only heard of her passing today. Again, my thoughts and prayers to her family.

Karen Ruth (Ragsdale)

May 23, 2013

Your mom inspired many of us to rise to the occasion whatever the odds. For many she led the way to become teachers and coaches. We share her loss, rejoice in her life, and cherish her memory.

Penny (Kozlowski) Walchli

May 23, 2013

I am sorry for the loss of your mother. I had the opportunity to have her as my coach, gym teacher, and the opportunity to be under the direction of her guidance as a Vikette. I graduated from the class of 1970. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Connie Arnett-Carbon

May 23, 2013

She was my Vikette Coach and a great Lady!

Donna Mitrovich Gowen

May 23, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Skomski's family. She was a fabulous teacher. I learned so much from her about leadership, sportsmanship, and of course a variety of sports! She was one of my favorite teachers in high school. I will always remember her kindness to everyone. She wanted everyone to excel. I had the privilege to work with her when I began teaching. We have the same first name, She always told me to call her Donna, but I just had difficulty doing that. I respected her too much.Rest in peace, Mrs. Skomski.

May 23, 2013

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother and grandmother. She was my gym teacher for 2 years at Hazel Park. She encouraged my love of tennis and she was a wonderful influence to me and so many others. She will be missed by many. Pamela (Coon) Shellnut

sue tolin

May 23, 2013

my sympathies, condolences and prayers to her family.

John Rasnake

May 23, 2013

Mrs. Skomski was my swimming coach during the 76/77 and 77/78 swim seasons at Hazel Park High.She was a great coach and wonderful lady. I am grateful to have known her.I am saddened to hear of her passing.My condolences to the family.

Mary Davids Willer

May 23, 2013

I am so sorry for the loss of your mother and grandmother. I spent many hours in the gym and pool at Hazel Park High School under the guidance of Mrs. Skomski. She was a no nonsense teacher, but was always kind and supportive. She cared about the kids in her school and our personal lives. She was a fine example of model teacher. May she rest in peace.

sheila munro

May 22, 2013

I am sorry to hear of the loss of your mom and grandmother. I was privileged to be under Mrs. Skomski's creative direction when I was a Vikette at Hazel Park High School. As a Vikette for four years (1959 - 1963), I was guided by Mrs. Skomski and given many opportunities to perform in many venues thanks to her leadership. Her legacy is astounding. She gave so much to everyone she touched.

Pamela (Miller) Pfau

May 22, 2013

Mrs. Skomski was my teacher at Hazel Park High School and I learned a lot from her. Her dance/drill team, the Vikettes, was very much a part of my high school career having been a member for all four years. Those are definitely some of the best memories of high school. I have her to thank for that.

I was fortunate to have been in touch with Mrs. Skomski (I still have a hard time calling her Donna because she was my teacher) when she moved to Mt. Pleasant. It was great to have been reconnected with her as an adult. What a beautiful lady she was! I will always remember her with the fondest of memories. She will be sorely missed. My condolences to her family. Pamela Miller Pfau

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